Private Chefs in India: A Growing Lifestyle Trend or Just a Fad?

Private chefs in India were once a rare luxury, mostly associated with high society or expat households. But today, the demand is steadily rising as urban Indians seek personalized culinary experiences at home. From gourmet dinners to diet-specific meal prep, private chefs are redefining home dining. This shift is driven by health-conscious millennials, busy professionals, and families who crave restaurant-quality meals without stepping out. Platforms like Authenticook, The Chef Company, and Conosh are popularizing the concept by connecting clients with chefs. Influencers and chefs like Shipra Khanna, Kunal Kapur, and even lesser-known but in-demand names like Chef Rakhee Vaswani have lent credibility to the space.

There is certainly a growing target market—affluent families in metros like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore, along with NRIs returning to India who are used to such services abroad. Event-based bookings for intimate house parties, anniversaries, or even kids' birthdays are adding to the traction. This industry is also getting a push from hospitality-trained professionals who prefer freelance gigs over restaurant hours. While it remains niche, the rising visibility and increasing demand suggest that private chefs are becoming an integral part of India’s evolving lifestyle landscape.